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formating a c drive for a repair

Discussion in 'Legacy Windows' started by rhondas, 2006/02/11.

  1. 2006/02/11
    rhondas

    rhondas Inactive Thread Starter

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    If I select to format my c drive will this wipe out everything, If so how do I reinstall what it needs to start fresh, what IM trying to accomplish is to get rid of all the unnecessary files and programs that were once installed an now not needed to run the computer , there is a lot of garbage in there that's jamming up and slowing down my lap top, the biggest problem is MY CD ROM don't work because its drivers aren't working and IM not on line because I don't have the adapter cable for the Ethernet to usb. so what I do have to work with is a floppy drive and a Sony flash micro vault and my good PC that's it.
     
    rhondas,
    #1
  2. 2006/02/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    rhondas

    You cannot format the C:\ drive from within Windows as the operating system is using it :) If you format from outside of Windows using fdisk everything on the drive will be wiped out - including your personal data. The operating system, all software programs will need to be reinstalled from their installation CD's - which could be a problem if the CD drive remains dead.

    So clean up your laptop (courtesy of Newt) .....

    • Open a browser window and dump all TIF (temporary internet files) and cookies. Close.
    • Open windows explorer and
    .. delete the contents of all temp folders
    .. delete any files in c:\ with a name filennnn.chk (where nnnn is any number so file0001.chk, file1034.chk, etc)
    • verify that you have fewer than 500 files & folders directly under c:\. If you are close to that number, remove or move some files.
    • empty the recycle bin
    • boot to DOS
    • from the command prompt do the following
    .. scanreg /fix <ENTER> (press the ENTER key)
    .. scanreg /opt <ENTER>
    ****note that 95 does not have scanreg.exe but a copy from 98 or ME will run fine if you can get one
    .. scandisk c:\ /nosave /autofix /surface <ENTER>
    .. Win /D:M (forces a safe mode windows start)
    • Run another scandisk (start~programs~accessories~system tools) and check for a standard scan and to fix all errors found. The DOS scan couldn't check for long file name issues.
    • Run a defrag
    • Reboot to normal Windows.

    Then go to Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel and uninstall that software which you no longer need - note if you do not have the installation CD's you will not be able to reinstall at a later date.

    Go into Device Manager and uninstall/remove the CD-ROM drive and reboot to allow Windows to install it again.

    I can't help you with lack of a suitable cable :)
     
    PeteC,
    #2


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  4. 2006/02/11
    rhondas

    rhondas Inactive Thread Starter

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    Clean Up Laptop

    I found out I can get an adaptor
    http://www.meritline.com/usbtonetcon.html
    ,? THANKS, I have windows 98SE so I can follow all above and it should all work without going on line or having a working cd Rom,[one more question, I can go into Dells lap top free down loads and go to drivers and download the drivers for my CD Rom on to a 512MB thumb drive ,then install the down load into my laptop ,will it by any chance fix my CD Rom, Ill send you a photo a screen shot of what is in there now as far as a driver,?Thanks so much.
     
    rhondas,
    #3
  5. 2006/02/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    The CD-ROM should not need any other driver than that already in Windows - that was why I suggested uninstalling it through Device Manager, but you can certainly go via the route you suggested to Dell > USB drive > Install on laptop.

    I have no way of knowing if it will fix your CD-ROM drive or not - it may have failed. Keep us posted on progress on this.

    Is there no ethernet port (RJ-45) on your laptop?
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2006/02/11
    rhondas

    rhondas Inactive Thread Starter

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    heres the specs on my inpiron 5000 dell....................


    Configuration: Win 98, 500/600MHz Pentium III, 128MB of SDRAM, 12GB hard disk, 6x DVD-ROM drive, 56Kbps modem, two Type II PC Card slots, one USB slot * List Price: $3,226 * Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corp., 800-WWW-DELL, www.dell.com
    COMPARED TO DELL'S BEEFY INSPIRON 7500 desktop-replacement laptops, the new Inspiron 5000 is a relatively skinny 1.5 inches thick--but there's a meaty 7.5 pounds of hardware and plenty of CPU and graphics muscle within, putting the 5000 into an attractive niche above the entry-level Inspiron 3700.

    Our unit was equipped with Intel's new 600/500MHz Pentium III with SpeedStep technology. The latter aims to save power by slowing the processor from 600MHz to 500MHz when you switch from AC power to batteries (a utility allows you to override this setting). We gained only about 20 minutes of unplugged use with the CPU clocked down, but overall, Dell's estimate of 2 to 3 hours' battery life was accurate.

    The Inspiron sports a brilliant 15-inch, 1,024 by 768-pixel display, 128MB of SDRAM (expandable to 512MB), a 12GB hard disk, 6x DVD-ROM drive, and an ATI Mobility P 2X AGP graphics accelerator with 8MB of SGRAM. The DVD drive can be swapped for an Iomega Zip drive ($139) or second lithium-ion battery ($99). A full-size keyboard and Synaptics touch pad make for comfortable control.

    Connectivity features include a 56Kbps modem, USB port, and two Type II PC Card slots--but no built-in Ethernet adapter is available. A video-out port lets you view DVD movies on a TV set. The unit supports 3D audio, but the sound from its twin speakers wasn't impressive
     
    rhondas,
    #5
  7. 2006/02/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    As you have no ethernet port it implies that you do not have a network card in the computer. Why do you need an ethernet connection?
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2006/02/11
    rhondas

    rhondas Inactive Thread Starter

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    ethernet card

    , I have optimum on line, a cable network, the plug off the router is an ethernet, I dont really know if I can plug direct into my phone line in which came as a package deal with the cable internet.
     
    rhondas,
    #7
  9. 2006/02/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Before you buy that converter cable check with your cable company that it will work. I think it may as my ADSL modem is plugged into a USB port on the computer.
     
    PeteC,
    #8
  10. 2006/02/11
    rhondas

    rhondas Inactive Thread Starter

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    USB POrt

    OK Ill cal over the week end or Monday , Thanks so much for the help:p
     
    rhondas,
    #9

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